Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge is located in southeast Texas, not Arkansas.
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Summary
It spans over 34,000 acres of coastal marsh and prairie and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including over 300 bird species, alligators, and bobcats.
There are several good reasons to visit Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, including birdwatching, hiking, fishing, and wildlife photography. The refuge features several points of interest, including the Shoveler Pond Auto Tour, which allows visitors to drive through wetlands and view waterfowl, and the Skillern Tract, which features hiking trails and a boardwalk over a freshwater marsh.
Interesting facts about Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge include that it is one of the largest coastal wetland areas left in Texas and that it is home to one of the largest alligator populations in the state.
The best time of year to visit Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge is during the fall and winter months when migratory birds are present in the area. However, visitors can enjoy the refuge year-round, and each season offers unique opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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